Indonesia deploys over 14 tons of seeding material in cloud-seeding fire fight
Indonesia's disaster agency used 14.3 tons of dry ice and salt across 15 flights to modify weather and combat haze and fires in Kalimantan and Sumatra.
Acting head Berton Panjaitan of BNPB's Disaster Data and Communications Center said that 15 flights deployed a total of 14.3 tons of seeding material—5,200 kg of dry ice and 2,000 kg of sodium chloride in Central Kalimantan, and 7,100 kg in South Sumatra. As of October 23, no rainfall was recorded in the Central Kalimantan target zone, but weather-modification efforts produced light to moderate rain in seven regencies of West Kalimantan and in Kotabaru, South Kalimantan.
Field monitoring noted improved visibility in South Sumatra by late morning. Fires persisted on October 25, affecting 2,458 ha in Central Kalimantan, 884 ha in West Kalimantan, 52 ha in South Kalimantan, and about 990 ha on Sumatra. The government has mobilized 57,050 ground-firefighting personnel and 61 aircraft, including patrol, CASA, weather-modification planes and water-bombing helicopters, equipped with hoses, pumps and communication gear.
Why it matters
The operation shows Indonesia's reliance on cloud-seeding to mitigate severe haze and wildfire impacts on health and the environment.
How this story developed
- Sep 28 Civil groups sue Indonesian government over West Kalimantan fire negligence
- Oct 10 The class‑action suit moved to a hearing in Pontianak, where no defendants were present.
- Oct 15 The government, led by Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu, is gathering evidence and keeping legal options open as PSI levels in western Singapore entered the very unhealthy range. The 2014 law allows fines up to S$100,000 per day, capped at S$2 million, for companies whose fires produce prolonged haze. Enforcement has been challenging, with limited data from Indonesian authorities and four firms still under investigation. Fu also urged Indonesia to curb the fires and called for ASEAN cooperation.
- Oct 16 President Prabowo appointed army general Kristomei Sianturi to lead BNPB.
- Oct 16 Indonesia formally accepted regional assistance and technical talks on its implementation are underway.
- Oct 16 Legal notices were served on seven Indonesian firms for their role in the haze.
- Oct 19 Student Alliance of Gadjah Mada University addressed ASEAN Secretary‑General urging scrutiny of Indonesia’s compliance and acceptance of regional firefighting support.
- Oct 19 Malaysia specified that it will provide three helicopters and 52 firefighters to support Indonesia’s fire‑fighting efforts.
- Oct 20 Indonesia’s BNPB and army chief launched a joint firefighting push in Central Kalimantan.
- Oct 22 President Prabowo publicly blamed corporations and pledged to identify them.
- Oct 23 Malaysia said it will raise the haze issue with Indonesia at the upcoming ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting.
- Oct 23 Energy minister Bahlil announced a review of Indonesia's gas allocation, aiming to shift more supply toward local petrochemical use.
- Oct 25 Indonesia announced the cut in pipeline gas shipments to Singapore.
- Oct 27 Walhi released an Actor Mapping Analysis that names 21 Malaysian‑linked firms.
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